Ladislav Bátora, a controversial figure due to his activities in the extremist National Party and other matters, will become an adviser to Education Minister Josef Dobeš starting in April. The Czech daily Právo reported the news Wednesday, claiming it is from a reliable source.

Jan Zahradil defeated Timothy Kirkhope, widely touted as the favourite to become chairman, and a Polish rival in a vote to find a new head of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group. The group had gone to the polls after the previous chairman, Polish MEP Michal Kaminski, quit following a spectacular falling out with his Law and Justice party.

The Czech governing coalition and a major opposition party say they have agreed on a constitutional change that would allow the general public to elect the nation's presidents — a privilege that currently belongs to Parliament. Representatives of the coalition and the Social Democrats said Wednesday the president would be elected in a two-round vote with the top two finishers advancing to the second round.